Israel Police arrested the owner and caregiver of an unauthorized daycare in Jerusalem’s Romema neighborhood on Monday after a tragic incident resulted in the deaths of two infants and left 55 others hospitalized. The arrests followed several hours of interrogation regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A court ruled on the same day that autopsies will be conducted on the deceased infants, despite protests from the parents and objections from ultra-Orthodox Jews across the nation. The autopsy, which was requested by both the Attorney-General’s office and the police, is subject to an appeal by the victims’ families, which is scheduled for Tuesday.
The incident at the daycare has raised grave concerns, as authorities believe the two infants likely died from heatstroke, while the other children, aged between four months and three years, are reported to be in mild condition. The unfolding situation has drawn significant attention and concern from health officials, who suspect that respiratory distress caused by environmental factors at the daycare may have contributed to the overall health crisis that unfolded.
The chef at the daycare is now facing scrutiny as investigations continue to determine the exact circumstances leading to the tragedy. In related events, protests broke out in Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem in response to the court’s autopsy decision, which police deemed unlawful. Authorities reported that protestors were engaged in disruptive activities, including throwing objects and blocking traffic.
As the situation develops, the emotions surrounding the deaths of the infants and the events that followed have deeply affected the community. The hope remains that justice will be served, and that appropriate measures will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of children in similar environments across the region.